GOP-ers deliver FedEx smackdown

A number of conservative groups are blasting FedEx for taking a cheap shot at UPS, charging that FedEx is falsely accusing its rival of seeking a federal bailout.

The clash revolves around legislation that would clear the way for FedEx drivers to organize with the Brotherhood of Teamsters, just as UPS’s drivers are. FedEx opposed the measure, which was supported by both UPS and the Teamsters, and set up a website titled “brownbailout.com” that accuses UPS of “quietly seeking a congressional bailout designed to limit competition for overnight deliveries, leaving Americans with a less reliable next-day delivery network for critical goods like medicines and essential inventory.”

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“Why is megacorporation UPS trying to use its political clout to get a bailout from the U.S. Congress, leaving you to pay the tab?” the FedEx website asks.

But a letter signed by former Sen. Malcolm Wallop (R-Wyo.) and the leaders of Americans for Tax Reform, Frontiers for Freedom, the American Conservative Union, 60 Plus, Citizen Outreach, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council and the National Taxpayers Union alleges that FedEx is mischaracterizing the situation and unfairly trying to tap into public resentment against federal bailouts to attack its competition.

“FedEx’s campaign called ‘Brown Bailout’ is designed to capitalize on public sentiment that is angry that hundreds of billions of dollars have been wasted in the name of bailouts,” the letter reads. “But since UPS is not seeking even one dime of taxpayer money, the campaign is essentially a disinformation campaign and should be stopped.”

“If FedEx wants to oppose the regulatory reform being sought by UPS, that is fine,” the letter continues. “But FedEx should use honest arguments and refrain from disingenuous and dishonest labels.”